Healthcare Coverage in San Francisco

Apparently, San Francisco is the only city in the United States that requires health insurance in approximately the same way in which Massachusetts requires it for its residents.

This editorial in The New York Times shows how it works, how many have been covered, how employers are dealing with it, and also addresses issues of funding and job losses. All the above were common fears before San Francisco required this health insurance program, and continue to be fears and preoccupations on the national level as the nation discusses passing national healthcare.

The authors' conclusion:

The San Francisco experiment has demonstrated that requiring a shared-responsibility model — in which employers pay to help achieve universal coverage — has not led to the kind of job losses many fear. The public option has also passed the market test, while not crowding out private options. The positive changes in San Francisco provide a glimpse of what the future might look like if Washington passes substantial health reform this year.